Would this be useful?

Hey everyone,
New to this forum so I would like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Roman and I've been into survival & prepping since 2005. My skill set is comprised of EMT experience, some tactical training from NJ firearms, I was a boy scout back in elementary school (don't hate!), and have been an avid camper ever since. Being that I'm into the genre, I started a survival business namedXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX late in 2012. We specialize in pre-made customizable bug out bags and other tactical gear.

While doing some investigating into the market, I noticed every survivalist/prepper has a different view of what belongs in a bug out bag. So I had a question: Would the enthusiast community find it useful to have someone walk them through building a BOB, or have someone construct one item by item based on a specific order if we offered to beat Amazons competitive prices by at least 5%? We are really trying to create something that would be useful to both the novice and the enthusiast. Any and all feedback would be appreciated!

I want a Transformers BOB. Like, when I open it up it turns into a Hummer that has 50 cals where the exhaust pipes would go. With custom paint. Oh, and a self powered stereo, so I can have my own soundtrack playing when TSHTF. I've been waiting for it to hit the market since 1998, but much like flying cars, I have been sorely disappointed.

New to this forum so I would like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Roman and I've been into survival & prepping since 2005. My skill set is comprised of EMT experience, some tactical training from NJ firearms, I was a boy scout back in elementary school (don't hate!), and have been an avid camper ever since. Being that I'm into the genre, I started a survival business namedXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX late in 2012. We specialize in pre-made customizable bug out bags and other tactical gear.

While doing some investigating into the market, I noticed every survivalist/prepper has a different view of what belongs in a bug out bag. So I had a question: Would the enthusiast community find it useful to have someone walk them through building a BOB, or have someone construct one item by item based on a specific order if we offered to beat Amazons competitive prices by at least 5%? We are really trying to create something that would be useful to both the novice and the enthusiast. Any and all feedback would be appreciated!

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I am still trying to figure out what an enthusiast is...? Is that someone that enjoys and inspires to be in the Walking Dead cast or is that someone hoping for a chance to do the Tough Mudder with zombies chasing them? Sorry I am slow....

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

Roman, if your truly into prepping. Getting out of Long Island New York should be your first step.
Pretty sure no matter what is in your BOB .. you ain't gonna make it out of that city.

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I wish I could get out of the city, but unfortunately that's where the money is and living close to Manhattan pays my bills. When I get enough coin together, I would like to buy a piece of property in Vermont (gun rights, less populated, friends in the area, close to Canada JIC), and a house in Costa Rica (just because it's warm and a favorite vacation getaway, also because I'll have access to both Atlantic and Pacific just in case one side goes "bad").

I am still trying to figure out what an enthusiast is...? Is that someone that enjoys and inspires to be in the Walking Dead cast or is that someone hoping for a chance to do the Tough Mudder with zombies chasing them? Sorry I am slow....

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By enthusiast I mean guys who like prepping enough to talk about it on forums. Zombies, TM, and Spartan Races are secondary IMO.

I think most would tend to think of it as a way of life vs an interest. I think that distinction will become quite clear here at the SM vs most other sites.

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I agree. Many people think I'm nuts to keep an NBC gas mask in my backpack anytime I commute into the city, but slowly I'm changing minds as things start to heat up world wide. The city is a tough nut to crack. Most people here feel impervious to disaster because they've yet to experience a true supply chain disruption. They got a brief look during Sandy, but most are back to their pre-sandy mindset.

IMHO, the more people that prep, the less unprepared zombies we'll have to worry about when TSHTF.

By enthusiast I mean guys who like prepping enough to talk about it on forums. Zombies, TM, and Spartan Races are secondary IMO.

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I think most would tend to think of it as a way of life vs an interest. I think that distinction will become quite clear here at the SM vs most other sites.

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

So, what are your plans, if Mr. Presidents fear is realized? A nuke hits Manhattan. Do youlan on just becoming a Flash Stain, on the sidewalk?

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Well, I'd like to think I have God on my side so I tend not to concern myself with all the paranoia. I'm as prepared as I can be at this point, and as finances allow I will become more prepared as time goes on. What if I get hit by a car crossing the street? should I wear a helmet and wrap myself in bubble wrap everyday before I go out?

Well, I'd like to think I have God on my side so I tend not to concern myself with all the paranoia. I'm as prepared as I can be at this point, and as finances allow I will become more prepared as time goes on. What if I get hit by a car crossing the street? should I wear a helmet and wrap myself in bubble wrap everyday before I go out?

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Good luck with that plan.... I tend to stick more to the paranoia of it all, keeps my head on a swivel.... Bubble wrap and a helmet....hmmm I think that is a novel idea.

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

I think I'm well prepared for anything outside a planned nuke event. If anything happens to Indian Point, I can get out of the 50 mile danger radius fairly quickly via dirtbike or road bike. I've been doing long distance cycling for the last few years, kicking the spring season off with a 160 mile ride from Penn Station to Montauk Point within 11 Hours (breaks included).

Living in Alaska, BT, you've probably got a few less obstacles to worry about in a SHTF situation = )

Dude, rethink the "close to Canada, just in case"
you won't make it past the initial interview. Not trying to be harsh, but Canada gets tons of US Refugees who think they can flee to Canada and live in the True North Strong and Free......they all get a nice piece of paper at the Border telling them to come back again when they have firm ties to the US and a job.
We love our American cousins, and lots of them do move here legally and are just so right at home ( except for our stupid gun laws)
and we love when they come visit.
But our immigration laws are much like yours.....reasonably tough, and for a reason.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the reality is, if it hits the fan there, the borders will be all but shut down.

Dude, rethink the "close to Canada, just in case"
you won't make it past the initial interview. Not trying to be harsh, but Canada gets tons of US Refugees who think they can flee to Canada and live in the True North Strong and Free......they all get a nice piece of paper at the Border telling them to come back again when they have firm ties to the US and a job.
We love our American cousins, and lots of them do move here legally and are just so right at home ( except for our stupid gun laws)
and we love when they come visit.
But our immigration laws are much like yours.....reasonably tough, and for a reason.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the reality is, if it hits the fan there, the borders will be all but shut down.

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I think if it hits the fan here, it will simultaneously hit the fan in Canada because of our close economic ties. Any hit the fan situation will likely result in dollar collapse considering it is already so fragile. Worse comes to worse, I'm going to Russia!

Many fewer things to worry about, since there are NO ROADS, within 250 miles, that connect to the world, and the only way in, or out is via Boat, or Bush plane... I only have to worry about burning the place down, in a Grass Fire, or any Medical issue, that requires something Momma (RN) can't deal with, and it is at night, or needs attention faster than 3 hours. (The time it takes to get a USCG Chopper here if they launch, ASAP... 2 to get here and 1 more to get to Town) There are all kinds of Tradeoffs in life, and folks have to make these trade offs, and understand the consequences of their choices, as they make them. That is what makes a Good Prep'er... One who makes Good Choices, with informed consent, and then lives with those choices, without whining about it later...

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

Many fewer things to worry about, since there are NO ROADS, within 250 miles, that connect to the world, and the only way in, or out is via Boat, or Bush plane... I only have to worry about burning the place down, in a Grass Fire, or any Medical issue, that requires something Momma (RN) can't deal with, and it is at night, or needs attention faster than 3 hours. (The time it takes to get a USCG Chopper here if they launch, ASAP... 2 to get here and 1 more to get to Town) There are all kinds of Tradeoffs in life, and folks have to make these trade offs, and understand the consequences of their choices, as they make them. That is what makes a Good Prep'er... One who makes Good Choices, with informed consent, and then lives with those choices, without whining about it later...

As a young guy, it's hard to move somewhere remote with tens of thousands in student loans hanging over your head. So for now, until my business or other endeavors take off, I'm stuck living in this concrete jungle. I do believe, however, that everyone in this world has a purpose. Maybe my purpose is to get city dwellers more prepared for the perils that face us..who knows.

BTW, having a hard time finding that blog you recommended. Can you please make make instructions more newb friendly?

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Sure... At the bottom of the Main Page, is the the BLOG Forum... Where folks post their Blogs, they wrote under the Old Site OS. The first Blog is a "Sticky" called "An interesting SECURE Comms Device for your local AoO" or there'bouts.... That is the Blog... You should read... Everyone and their Gradmother will be using FRS/GMRS Radios, and CB Radios for SHTF Comms, and the BAD GUYS will be using them to hit folks, by gathering Intel just by monitoring those channels. The devices in the Blog, deal with those issues, completely... They can NOT be monitored, or DF'ed, and they are DIRT Cheap... .....

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....